City Managers by County

About City Managers

What are the qualifications of a City Manager?

Most City Managers have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and move up through the ranks of the city by serving as a department head or Assistant City Manager before being appointed as City Manager. Many receive a Master of Public Administration or pursue voluntary credentialing through the International City/County Management Association.

Are City Managers required to reside in the cities they serve?

In many places, the local charter has a residency requirement for the City Manager. In these cases, applicants for a City Manager position that do not live in the city are usually given a set amount of time to move.

Do City Managers have to be affiliated with the same party as the Mayor or Council majority?

Party affiliation is not a consideration in the appointment of a City Manager. The City Manager is intended to serve as a neutral professional that serves the full Council in their governance duties.